With Malik Newman’s emergence in the month of March, he has quickly become a household name. This has fans wondering if he will return to Kansas Basketball for the 2018-19 season.
Malik Newman has been red-hot during the month of March. On his way to becoming the Midwest Regional Player of the Year, he has carried Kansas Basketball on his shoulders. In the epic Elite Eight match between the Jayhawks and Duke, Newman scored all of Kansas’ 13 points in overtime. He alone outscored the BlueDevils in the final five-minute session.
He has undoubtedly become the Jayhawks best player since the Big 12 Tournament. He led Kansas through the gauntlet of the conference tournament, and continued to lead in the Big Dance. His play on the court has been second to none. Newman has become the most dangerous weapon for Bill Self on a Kansas squad that many didn’t think was capable of getting this far.
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The level of his play has brought up the discussion of whether or not Newman will be a Jayhawk next season, or take his talents to the next level. Make no mistake about it, of course NBA scouts have taken notice of what Newman has done recently, you can’t help but notice.
Much of what will be taken into account is where his projected draft spot will be, much will determine on how far back scouts and executives at the next level want to look back.
No question, Malik has the talent and potential to play at the next level. The question, which should be the most important, is where he will land if he enters this year’s draft. This has everything to do with money. Everything.
At the beginning of the year I wrote a piece suggesting how special Malik Newman could be this season. Until March, I felt as if it was one of my more inaccurate pieces to date. Now, mini genius.
Malik Newman is terrible.
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) December 30, 2017
There were plenty of times throughout the year that made fans believe Newman was a flash in the pan. After starting the season very consistently, his offensive production, ball handling, defense, everything, it all seemed to be a mess. Remember at one point he was even benched for some time, at least from the starting lineup.
He only scored one point against TCU in their first meeting, four points in their second. He didn’t score at all against Nebraska, and only scored two against Syracuse.
Hard to believe that these tweets exist now isn’t it? There was no way Malik Newman was going to be drafted this year, there was no chance of it whatsoever. Then, someone or something switched a switch. Newman has been the best player in the nation since March 8th against Oklahoma State in the conference tournament.
Since then he has scored 159 points, averaging 23 points per game. He’s made 28 of 51 shots from three, shooting better than 50 percent.
The debate may continue for another week or so, as many believe he is on his way out, I believe he will come back for one more. In my unprofessional opinion, his chances at a big pay day only increase if he comes back. Keep in mind he will be among the POY candidates from the beginning.
Next: Top one and done players at KU
This all may be wishful thinking, but unless he goes for 40 against Villanova and again in the championship game, he will be back.